Two or three ballots? What each vote decides on 4 November

The usual municipal-election format is two papers in a metro and three in a local municipality. Read each heading before voting on 4 November 2026.

The government’s 2026 voting guide explains each paper’s purpose.

What each paper decides

A candidate choice and a party choice

Under Schedule 1 of the Municipal Structures Act, the ward candidate with the most votes wins that ward. The council also includes representatives elected from party lists. Where just one ward candidate is duly nominated, that candidate is deemed elected without a ward vote.

Your ward choice can differ from your party choice on the PR paper. Choose separately on each paper.

The PR paper does not rank individual candidates. List seats follow the party’s order. For metro and local councils with wards, overall party allocation uses both PR and party ward votes.

Make your choice clear

The government guide advises one clear X in the box beside your chosen candidate or party on each paper. Avoid signing your ballot or adding identifying or unnecessary marks.

Section 61 of the Municipal Electoral Act requires rejection of a paper that identifies its voter, is blank, supports more than one party or ward candidate, or leaves the choice unclear.

Correct mistakes before depositing

If your mark does not express your choice, or you change your mind, take the paper to the presiding officer or a voting officer before putting it in the box. Section 49, as amended in 2016, permits a replacement in those circumstances.

The officer cancels the returned paper, keeps it separately and issues a new one.